There is no advantage whatsoever in only stating one preference by writing down the same school more than once on your paper preference form.

In fact, the law makes it very clear that if you only state one preference and it is unsuccessful, a place can only be allocated after all the other people’s preferences (first, second and third) have been considered.

The result might be that you are allocated a place a long way from your home and transport may not be available.

Once parents have submitted their preferences local authorities must not allow them to be changed unless there is a genuine reason for doing so, for example if the family has recently moved address.

Any request to change preferences must be made in writing to the Admissions Team.

To make an application after the closing date you will need to complete a paper preference form although applications received after this date will be considered as 'late'.

An exception to this is if you are moving within / into Northamptonshire. Please see the section on Late Applications.

Some Foundation or Voluntary Aided schools may have additional forms that they require you to complete. This is in order to assess your application against their admission policy. Please check with the school directly as to whether they have an additional form. 

You may however need to complete an additional form for some schools if they are amongst your preferences (first, second or third).

For primary applications please check with your preferred school directly as to whether an additional form is necessary.

Please visit the ‘Applying for a primary school place’ page to view full instructions on both methods.

Please refer to the ‘Applying for a School Place outside the normal transfer times’ section.

If you have not received your confirmation email please check your 'junk mail' folder as sometimes it will automatically be transferred here by some email providers. 

If you still have not received it, it may be because you have typed your email address incorrectly, please contact the admissions team.

It is important that you remember to re-submit any amendments made; each time you submit amendments to your preferences you will receive a confirmation email.

The Admissions Team will post all primary school allocation letters on 1st April 2009 by first class mail.

Please do not contact the team before 2nd April as we will only be able to advise you that a letter is in the post. We are unable to give details over the phone.

If you have not received your letter by 3rd April please email admissions@northamptonshire.gov.uk with your childs details and the order you made your preferences, and we will organise a duplicate letter to be sent.

This may not be instant and could take a couple of hours. Please check your 'junk mail' folder as sometimes it will automatically be transferred here by some email providers.

If you still have not received your password by email it may because you have entered your email address incorrectly. Please contact the admissions team for assistance.

There are two ways to apply for a Primary school place – either online or using the paper preference form.

The deadline for the September 2009 intake is 21st November 2008.

The online application system is available from 22nd September 2008 until the deadline or alternatively the booklets and preference forms are available at all primary schools from 22nd September 2008.

Please visit the ‘Applying for a primary school place’ page to view full instructions on both methods.

There are two ways to apply for a school place – either online or using the paper preference form.

You should receive a paper preference form and an 'Applying for a Primary School Place in Northamptonshire 2009/2010' booklet from your child’s current school.

Please visit the ‘Applying for a primary school place’ page to view full instructions on both methods.

There are two ways to apply for a school place – either online or using the paper preference form. You should receive a paper preference form and an 'Applying for a Primary School Place in Northamptonshire 2009/2010' booklet from your child’s current school.

Please visit the ‘Applying for a primary school place’ page to view full instructions on both methods.

• visit as many of the schools that interest you as possible
• visit the Online Schools Directory where you can view Ofsted Reports, DCSF performance data and admissions criteria
• contact the admissions team if you need assistance during the process.

Some parents readily accept the alternative place they are offered. Others will discuss the situation with their friends and perhaps the head teacher of their child’s primary school.

If you have not had the opportunity to visit the school where your child has been allocated a place, it would be a good idea to arrange an appointment to find out more about the school and to ask any questions of the staff there.

Details of the appeal process will be provided with the allocation letters. If you choose to appeal, you should notify the Admission Authority in writing of the school you would like your child to go to within two weeks of receiving the allocation letter.

You may appeal for a place at more than one school. Remember you can appeal for any school for which you have been refused a place. You do not need to contact the one where your child has been allocated a place. For further information please see the Appeals section.

If your child is transferring to a junior or middle school and you live in Northamptonshire, the Admissions team will send a personalised letter to you via your child's current school explaining how to use the service. This letter will include a personal unique identification number (UID) for your child.

If you have more than one child transferring you will receive a UID for each child.

If you are applying for a Reception place, an email address is all you need to complete the process.

If you move after 6th March 2009 but before the start of the Autumn Term in September 2009, consideration will be given to your preferences, but if all your preferred schools have filled to their Admission Number then:

• In urban areas a place will generally be offered at the nearest school with places available
• In rural areas, we will seek to make a priority placement wherever possible, subject to infant class size rules.

Please note that documentary evidence of ownership or rental agreement may be required together with proof of actual permanent residence at the property concerned.

Places cannot be allocated on the basis of intended future changes of address unless house moves have been confirmed through the exchange of contracts or the signing of formal lease agreement.

The County Council reserves the right to seek further documentary evidence to support your claim to residence.

• 4-11 years (known as Primary Schools)
• 4-7 years (known as Infant Schools)
• 7-11 years (known as Junior Schools)
• 4-9 years (in the Oundle and Thrapston area only; known either as Primary or Lower Schools).

The four different types of primary schools are:

• Community
• Voluntary Controlled
• Voluntary Aided
• Foundation

The county council is responsible for allocating places at Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools. At the other schools, the Governors decide on the allocation of places

You will need to apply for your child’s primary school place in the Autumn prior to your child starting school. For children starting school in September 2009, application forms will be available from September 2008.

All applications received by the deadline are treated equally - there is not a 'first-come first served' waiting list policy. All schools will hold an interest list to which you may add your child's name if you wish. This does not, however, guarantee a place, and it is the parent's responsibility to complete and return an application by the appropriate deadline.

Please do not contact the admissions team before the 2nd April as they will only be able to advise you that your letter is in the post. It will not be possible to give allocation details over the phone.

Your letter from the council is the only official notification of a school place.

Additionally, if the distance from home to school is less than three miles, but along a route considered by the council to be an unacceptable walking route on the grounds of safety, free transport will be provided. Other safety issues will be considered on merit.

Please visit the home to school travel page to find further details.

A list of Towns / Villages and their links to Primary Schools is available within the 'Applying for a Primary School Place in Northamptonshire' Information for Parents Booklet.

Alternatively you can search for an individual school or schools within a certain area using the Online Schools Directory and view their admission criteria.

Please note, the towns of Corby, Kettering, Northampton and Wellingborough are not formally linked to any school.

If your child is currently in a Northamptonshire infant / lower school and is transferring to a junior / middle school and you are applying using the paper preference form, please return your paper form to your child’s current school by 21st November 2008.